# NTSB MIA95TA188: McDonnell Douglas H369, N129BC, Panama City, FL, July 21, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: July 21, 1995, 10:26 local (15:26 UTC) - Place: Panama City, FL - Coordinates: 30.200788, -85.669288 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2008&lon=-85.6693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37846 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95TA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37846/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95TA188 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's improper aft application of cyclic control during a simulated touchdown autorotation on landing flare touchdown, resulting in the main rotor blades colliding with the tail boom assembly. Contributing to the accident was the improper supervision of the pilot-in-command by the check pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - improper, check pilot (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot-in-command (PIC) was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation with turn to a certified flight instructor (CFI). He entered the maneuver at about 900 feet agl, and a flare was initiated at about 50 feet agl. Initial collective pitch application was made at about 10 feet agl, and cushioning collective pitch was made at about 2 to 3 feet agl. The helicopter touched down slightly nose high, slid forward, and started to turn to the right. The PIC applied aft cyclic to the left and heard a loud noise as the helicopter came to a stop. The CFI felt the cyclic being moved rearward, but made no attempt to take the flight controls from the PIC. Visual examination of the helicopter revealed the main rotor blades had collided with the tailboom assembly. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1995, about 1026 central daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas H369, N129BC, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 public-use training flight, crashed on landing at the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, Panama City, Florida. The helicopter was originally a U.S. military OH-6A. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, and commercial pilot flight instructor were not injured. The flight originated about 1 hour 26 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he initiated a 180-degree touchdown autorotation with turn at about 900 feet agl to runway 23. A flare was initiated at about 50 feet agl. Initial collective pitch application was made at about 10 feet agl, and cushioning collective pitch application was made at about 2 to 3 feet agl. The helicopter touched down slightly nose high, slid forward, and started to turn to the right. He applied aft cyclic to the left, and heard a loud noise as the helicopter came to a stop. He completed an emergency engine shutdown, exited the helicopter, and observed that the main rotor blades had collided with the tailboom assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N129BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N129BC-2016-11-18), registration cancelled 2016-11-18, S/N 67-16214, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas H369 - Registry model: [Hughes OH-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-oh-6a) (registry code 4470905) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 67-16214 - Engines: ALLISON T63A700 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Bay County Sheriffs Department - Departed: PFN - Airport: PFN, Panama City-Bay County, runway 23, 4,888 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 521 total, 193 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PFN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950721019269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950721019269A), Jul 21, 1995: Hughes OH6A, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. Rocked forward and backwards on landing during practice autorotation. Main rotors struck the tailboom. ## Other investigations on N129BC (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB MIA02LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA029), Nov 25, 2001: Hughes OH-6A (N129BC), Hernando, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's improper supervision of the dual student during a practice autorotation landing by allowing an excessive aft pitch attitude and low main rotor rpm conditions to develop during… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.